David Boreanaz

New York - Dogs may be "man’s best friend," but they now have a guardian "angel" looking out for them. David Boreanaz, star of the WB’s hit show Angel and the upcoming films Wicked Prayer and The Perfect Lie, appears with his dogs, Fritz and Bertha Blue, in a new PETA ad aimed at saving dogs who spend their entire lives chained in backyards.

Titled, "Be your dogs’ angel," the ad’s tagline reads, "Play with them ... take them for nice long walks ... don’t ever chain them." Boreanaz and PETA are encouraging people to make their dogs a part of their families by bringing them indoors and treating them with love and respect.

Though the U.S. is a nation of "animal lovers," millions of dogs are condemned to lives in "solitary confinement," trapped in backyards at the end of a chain or in a small pen, often with no more than shoddy, makeshift shelters to protect them from the elements. Aching for companionship, they suffer through frightening thunderstorms, suffocating heat, and bitter cold, often without vital veterinary care. Living day after day in isolation causes loneliness and distress for these social, pack-oriented animals.

Hot weather can be especially deadly for dogs left outside without shade or water, and in cold weather, outdoor dogs often suffer from frostbite, exposure, and dehydration when water sources freeze.

For more information, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.